Quick answer: Environmental Scientists are less stress-exposed than most Australian occupations — ranked #283 of 317 by workplace mental health hazard exposure, with a composite stress score of 39.8/100 against a national average of 47.4.
Environmental Scientists stress profile vs the national average
Each occupation is scored across six categories of workplace mental health hazard, built from 22 stress factors identified in SafeWork Australia's occupational hazards data. Higher scores mean greater exposure.
- Emotional demandsbelow average25.8 vs 37.9 avg
- Responsibility burdenbelow average56.5 vs 60 avg
- Pace and demandsbelow average51 vs 56 avg
- Lack of control86.8 vs 75.5 avg
- Precision and monotonybelow average66.5 vs 67.7 avg
- Physical environmentbelow average26.1 vs 38.2 avg
Scores range 0–100; higher = more stress-inducing (lack of control is shown on an inverted scale — see methodology). Source: SafeWork Australia Beta Occupational Hazards Dataset.
What drives the score for environmental scientists
The occupation scores below the national average for physical environment (26.1 vs 38.2), emotional demands (25.8 vs 37.9) and pace and demands (51 vs 56), which moderates the overall ranking.
See how this compares across all 317 Australian occupations, ranked by stress score.
The biggest stress factors for environmental scientists
- 1Precision and monotony
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
75.8/100
All-occupation average: 78.6
- 2Responsibility burden
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
72.8/100
All-occupation average: 70.4
- 3Responsibility burden
Coordinate or Lead Others
72.8/100
All-occupation average: 64.9
- 4Pace and demands
Frequency of Decision Making
69.2/100
All-occupation average: 70.7
- 5Pace and demands
Time Pressure
62.5/100
All-occupation average: 71.6
All 22 stress factors for environmental scientists
The complete scorecard: every stress factor measured for this occupation, grouped into the six categories, with the all-occupation average alongside.
Emotional demands
25.8 vs 37.9 avg- Deal With Physically Aggressive People6 vs 14
- Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People30.8 vs 50.4
- Frequency of Conflict Situations40.8 vs 49.3
Responsibility burden
56.5 vs 60 avg- Responsibility for Outcomes and Results49 vs 58.5
- Responsible for Others' Health and Safety46 vs 57.3
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results72.8 vs 70.4
- Consequence of Error42 vs 49
- Coordinate or Lead Others72.8 vs 64.9
Pace and demands
51 vs 56 avg- Time Pressure62.5 vs 71.6
- Duration of Typical Work Week58 vs 62.1
- Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment12.5 vs 23.1
- Frequency of Decision Making69.2 vs 70.7
- Level of Competition52.5 vs 52.4
Lack of control
86.8 vs 75.5 avg- Lack of Autonomy to Make Decisions85.8 vs 76.4
- Amount of Highly Structured Work87.8 vs 74.7
Precision and monotony
66.5 vs 67.7 avg- Importance of Repeating Same Tasks57.2 vs 56.9
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate75.8 vs 78.6
Physical environment
26.1 vs 38.2 avg- Sounds and Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable35.5 vs 52.3
- Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting19 vs 24.9
- Very Hot or Cold Temperatures29.5 vs 32.4
- Exposed to Disease or Infections6 vs 20.2
- Physical Proximity40.2 vs 61.1
Methodology
Clearhead scored 317 occupations in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) using SafeWork Australia's Beta Occupational Hazards Dataset. We kept only the 22 hazard variables relating to mental health — such as conflict exposure, decision-making pressure, and time pressure — and deliberately excluded physical safety risks like working at height.
The 22 variables are grouped into six categories: emotional demands, responsibility burden, pace and demands, lack of control, precision and monotony, and physical environment. An occupation's composite score is the equally weighted average of its six category scores. All scores run 0–100, where higher means more stress-inducing.
The two control-related variables are derived from SafeWork's “freedom to make decisions” and “structured versus unstructured work”. Control scores are displayed on an inverted scale relative to the other five categories: the composite stress score incorporates 100 minus the displayed control values.
Hazard exposure describes the average conditions of an occupation, not any individual's experience — everyone has a different tolerance for these challenges, and conditions vary between workplaces.
Frequently asked questions
Environmental Scientists: how stressful is the job?
Environmental Scientists rank #283 out of 317 Australian occupations for workplace mental health hazards, with a composite stress score of 39.8/100 against a national average of 47.4. That makes the occupation more stress-exposed than 10.7% of Australian jobs.
What are the biggest mental health stress factors for environmental scientists?
The highest-scoring hazards are importance of being exact or accurate (75.8/100), impact of decisions on co-workers or company results (72.8/100) and coordinate or lead others (72.8/100).
Which stress factors are lower for environmental scientists?
Environmental Scientists score below the national average for emotional demands (25.8 vs 37.9 average) and responsibility burden (56.5 vs 60 average) and pace and demands (51 vs 56 average) and precision and monotony (66.5 vs 67.7 average) and physical environment (26.1 vs 38.2 average), which partially offsets the higher-scoring hazards.
Where does this data come from?
Scores are derived from SafeWork Australia's Beta Occupational Hazards Dataset. Clearhead filtered the dataset to the 22 mental-health-related hazard variables — excluding physical safety risks — and scored 317 ANZSCO occupations across six categories: emotional demands, responsibility burden, pace and demands, lack of control, precision and monotony, and physical environment.
Beyond the average
This is the average hazard exposure for environmental scientists. Your workforce isn't average.
Clearhead's Psychosocial Risk Pulse measures the actual psychosocial risk in your organisation, quarterly — across 18 ISO 45003-aligned work factors.